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Tyndall civilian receives DoD award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th FIghter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A Tyndall member was recently announced as the recipient of the 2010 Outstanding Department of Defense Employee with a Disability Award.

Mr. Skip Sanders, 325th Operations Support Squadron Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation functional director, and a previous Air Force fighter pilot, has been a civil employee for the last 29 years and said he enjoys his job because of the vast challenges it presents on a daily basis.

"We constantly try to improve and upgrade our system and training capabilities," said Mr. Sanders. "We support any outside agency that wants to test new articles or develop new systems that may or may not be incorporated into our ACMI system. Currently we support U.S. Customs, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Florida State University Marine Sciences projects."

"We also work with all DoD combat air forces flying from Tyndall, Eglin and other surrounding bases," he added.

Mr. Sanders is a thoracic vertebrae 4/5 paraplegic, an injury he sustained in a motocycle accident in 1980. 

"I use a wheelchair for mobility," said Mr. Sanders. "But, I am still able to drive a car and since the accident, I have had two motorcycles with sidecars."

Mr. Sanders does not let his disability stand in the way of enjoying his life or how he does his job.

"A disability just changes how you physically approach a job," said Mr. Sanders. "Your attitude is what makes you a success or not. Always strive to make things better, whether in small ways or the major overhauls. If you leave things better than when you arrived, you have succeeded. And most of all try not to say 'no' to any requests; if you can help someone or a unit or agency out, they may be just the help you need in some future endeavor."

Mr. Sanders said he is humbled by the award and hopes that he can continue to live up to what others think of his efforts. He credits this victory to the people he surrounds himself with.

"I have a loving wife and great family to support me in all that I do," said Mr. Sanders. "I also have great friends that I have known for decades or just months that are always there to talk to and commune with. I enjoy my work and hope to continue to make it better each and every day."